Vallée du Niger programme (PROVANI)

For whom

The focus group for PROVANI consists of Nigeriens from the 3 target regions in the Niger River Basin: Dosso, Tillabéri and Niamey.

The programme is seeking an international consortium to assist in developing a shared vision and a long-term strategic plan for the Vallée du Niger programme, focusing on the sustainable management of natural resources in the Niger Valley.

Government-to-government collaboration

The local steering committee in Niger, le Comité Technique d’Appui au Programme (CTAP), implements this programme in Niger. RVO, commissioned by the Netherlands Embassy in Niamey (Niger), in collaboration with the Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment, supports the Government of Niger through the CTAP in the strategic planning process for the sustainable management of natural resources in the targeted regions.

3 factors contribute to the success of this programme:

1. Cooperation among stakeholders to define a shared vision and strategic plan for the targeted regions;
2. Government ownership of the programme;
3. The commitment of technical and financial partners to jointly carry out the vision.

Project aim

PROVANI aims to

• Develop a shared vision for the Niger River Valley extending up to 2052. The programme will involve diverse stakeholders and the vision will incorporate a strategic approach to landscape management and an integrated evaluation of environmental impacts, respecting national, regional and international agreements. This vision will serve as a comprehensive framework for the integrated planning and management of natural resources, while promoting inclusive socioeconomic development in the target regions. By doing so, the programme aims to establish a common understanding among stakeholders on the most pressing issues that need to be addressed in the Niger River Basin.
• Develop a comprehensive and actionable 5-year strategic plan that clearly outlines how to implement the vision. This plan will specify the strategies, initiatives, scenarios and action steps required to achieve the goals outlined in the vision.
• Implement no-regret projects for immediate results in the start-up phase and improve stakeholder engagement and participation.
• Establish an information system for the natural resources in the intervention area. The development of this system will consider existing information systems and will be carried out alongside objectives 1 and 2. This approach will support the vision development process, the strategic plan and the 5-year implementation period. Also, it will help improve a shared understanding of the challenges related to natural resource management.

Country and regions

This programme focuses on 3 Nigerien regions in the Niger River Basin: Dosso, Tillabéri and Niamey. The Niger River Basin is a crucial lifeline in West Africa, spanning several countries, including Niger. It provides vital natural resources that millions rely on for their livelihoods in agriculture and fishing. It also supplies water for other users, including livestock and irrigation.

Terms and conditions

The main goal of the programme is to establish a long-term strategic vision for managing the natural resources in the target regions. To handle immediate challenges faced by local communities, local organisations initiate and carry out short-term solutions known as "no-regrets" subsidy projects.

Local organisations design solutions to local challenges and may receive a subsidy to carry out these initiatives themselves. Their projects may be related to:

• sustainable land management;
• sustainable and efficient use of resources;
• water and soil management;
• infrastructure;
• agriculture;
• livestock and crops;
• spatial planning;
• breeding livestock and crops;
• sanitation;
• entrepreneurship;
• landscape design;
• waste management.

How to apply

For the long-term strategic programme component, organisations working in the sectors of water, forestry, agriculture and climate change may apply if they have substantial experience in multi-stakeholder development processes. Eligible organisations can submit their applications through a tender process. Apply before 11 August 2025, 14:00 CEST (Central European Summer Time).

The Nigerien Comité Technique d’Appui au Programme (CTAP) will lead the programme.